The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-26
ANOTHER SUDDEN DEATH
Major A. w. Hendricks Expires Unex-
pectedly After Lying Down to Sleep.
His Death Occurs in q Manner Strikingly
Similar to that of His Distinguished
Cousin, the Late Vice-President.

Abram W. Hendricks, Of the law firm of Ba-
ker. Hord & Hendrick died suddenly last night,
at 10 o'clock. under circumstances similar to
those surrounding the demise Of his cousin.
Thomas A. Hendricks, two years ago last
Wednesday. Both died alone and suddenly.
One passed away the evening before Thanksgiv-
ing. the other the evening after. 1t was half
past 10 o'clock last night when the news passed
on the street that Mr. Hendricks dead
His friends did not believe il at first for only a
day or two had elapsed since they had seen him
upon the street. apparently in his usual health.
His death came very suddenly, and was wholly
unexpected For several months he has shown
signs of failing health, but neither he, his wife
nor his friends believed that he was in a danger
GUS condition. His only ai1ment was rheuma-
tisrn, and at frequent intervals during the last
six months it has confined him to his home for q
day or two at time. During the past three
weeks he complained more frequently than ever
before. and his most intimate acquaintances OBJ
served, and rema rked, that he seemed to be
failing in health. When questioned about
his health he always said that he suf
fered little, and felt no cause for
apprehension. His condition was not snch IS 20
prevent him from work, and very few days
passed that be did not go down to his Office and
remain at his desk several hours. His last visit
to the Office was on Wednesday. He went
down early and remained there the
usual length OF time. writing q number
OF letters and doing considerable other work.
That evening, when he returned home. he COM
planned more than usual. but he attrib uted hsi
feeling badly to overwork alone and ply
stefan was called. Thanksgiving he and bis
wife entertained some friends from Chi
cARO,
health all day, and complained only
a,,h few ,d times slept well well Tnussdsy
morning. apparently in good health.
After breakfast he smoke of going down to the
office for short time but Mrs. Hendricks per-
suaded him to remain at home with their guests
from Chicago, who did not leave till noon All
forenoon he seemed in unusually good spirits
After dinner he complained considerably. and
slept quite while After he from his
sleep, late in the afternoon, he had some diff
Guilty with his breathing. but even then he did
not regard his condition as alarming. He ate
a light supper and afterward with his
family, and talked freely and cheerfully. He
asked that the Journal be brought to him. and
read and commented some of the editorials
in the presence of his family. Shortly before 9
o'clock he said to his wife that he felt like he
could sleep well and she suggesaod that he re-
tire. Mrs. Hendricks accompanied him to his
bedroom. and after he bad retired watched by
his bed until he went to sleep, which was very
soon after lying down. Then. in order that he
might not be disturbed. Mrs Hendricks and the
family went upstairs and left him alone.
A half hour after they had lett him they
heard noise in his room below like some
pounding on the floor or rafting chair, and
Mrs. Hendricks ran down to him. When she
entered his room he was lying on his back, with
the bed clothes thrown down from his breast,
and was easpine for breath. Before she had
to stop, and family said: Don't speak until l
get nv BREATH" Those were his last words.
Mrs Hendricks saw that he was seriously i'll
and ran to notify the other members of the
street to the residence of DR.. Sloan, who came
over. aud, he examined the pulse OF
break the sad news to the family. suddenly,
he called for some brandy, and asked that a
physician be called Immediately. The restora-
tives were applied by Dr. Sloan while awaiting
the coming of the physician. but they. of course.
had no effect DR.. Carey arrived in a few min
utes, and after examining Mr.. Hendricks. pro-
nounced him dead. The suppostion is that he
drew but few breaths after his wife reached his
side, and he died while she was temporarily alb
sent from his bedside
The cause of his death, the physicians think,
was apoplexy. DR.. Sloan, who was very init
mately acquainted with him, and knew of his
being constantly troubled with rheumatism,
thinks that it is possible that death might have
come from rheumatism of the heart. but the
SYMPTOMS he Gays, like apoplexy
The family believed that heart disease was the
cause, but MIR. Hendricks was never troubled
with the ailment, and the physicians say it
would not have come on so suddenly.
Mrs. Hendricks completely Frustrated
v d,
death. AT her request DIR. and Mrs. Sloan took
charge of the arrangements for caring for the
dead. The only relative who reached the
house soon after the death was Mrs Victor
Hendricks. Her husband. who is a brother of
the deceased. is in Boston on business, and WAS
notified of the death by telegraph. Miss Carrie
Hendricks. daughter of the deceased. who is at
Paducah, KY, was also notified by Dr.. Sloan.
Abram W. Hendricks was born in October,
1922, in Westmoreland county. Pennsylvania.
Of he tn
to reside with his uncle. William Hendricks.
State. He read law in his uucles Office and
also attended the law school at Lexington,
KY, where he graduated with honor.
For years he partner in
business of William Mckee Dunn, formerly
Judge Advocate-eenera In 1866 he came to
Indianapolis and united in business with the late
Thomas A Hendricks and Oscar B. Hord, form
ing the firm of Hendricks. Hord e Hendricks.
After the late Governor Baker completed his
term as Governor he took the place in the firm
which Thomas A Hendricks had recently left,
and the firm became Baker. Hord & Hendricks.
This name it has since retained. although there
have been several changes in the mem bership.
Mr.. Hendricks has always been held the
highest respect and esteem by all who knew
him. He able lawyer. and a thoroughly
honest one. He was considered every where the
most perfectly courteous gentleman of the Indi-
ana bar. He never held elective Office or sought
it. though he was nominated by the Republican
party in 1858 for the Office or Judge of the Su-
some time in the Quarterrnaster's department
with the rank of major. and often received that
title from his acquaintances in later life